Masdar City is kicking off UAE Innovation Month with an exciting programme of clean technology exhibits and engaging community activities, hosted at Masdar Park.

The annual UAE Innovation Month takes place every February, under the guidance of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This year, Abu Dhabi will be the first emirate to host a week of innovation-themed activities between 1st and 7th February.

Masdar will highlight its role in advancing innovation, through youth activities that aim to promote creativity and raise awareness about the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in 2014.

Masdar Park also hosted a two-day programme of workshops, games and displays on Friday, 2nd February, 2018.

Youngsters will be able to join in a "slime" workshop and build their own robots. "Giant Jenga!" social media vending machines and an interactive photo booth will add to the fun over the weekend, and experts will be on hand to answer questions about the innovations on show.

Visitors will also be able to learn about a range of sustainable innovations, including a machine that can reduce the amount of plastic in the environment, by converting end-of-life plastics into transport-grade fuel.

Visitors will be able to personally witness the process of making drinking water with a device, called, "SOURCE," by Zero Mass Water. Powered by solar energy, it produces potable water by extracting water vapour from the air, using fans and highly absorbent materials.

The UAE-based agri-tech startup, Masdar Farms, will also showcase its "Leafy Green Machine " container. The small-scale hydroponic farm can produce up to 30 variants of herbs and lettuce, for sale around the year.

In hydroponic farming, plants obtain nutrients directly from water, a method that produces lower carbon emissions and uses up to 98 percent less land than standard agricultural techniques. It is also pesticide and insecticide-free, non-GMO, and consumes up to 80 percent less water than regular farming.

Masdar Park is a unique and sustainable outdoor dining destination and is home to eight international and local food and beverage outlets, which are housed in recycled shipping containers powered by solar panels. It also includes a children’s playground, sports facilities and sustainability-themed design installations.